to: Roger L. Stancil, Town Manager
from: Butch Kisiah, Parks and Recreation Director
subject: Response to a petition from the Chapel Hill – Carrboro School system to determine the Town’s willingness to assist with the construction of a full sized Gymnasium.
date: September 8, 2008
The purpose of this report is to respond to a request from the Chapel Hill Carrboro School system regarding the design of Elementary School #11 and the possible joint construction of a gymnasium.
On June 11, 2008, the Chapel Hill – Carrboro School system petitioned the Council to ask if the Town of Chapel Hill would like to partner with the school district and construct a full size gymnasium.
The Town and school system currently operate a number of joint recreation facilities, including the soccer field at Scroggs Elementary School, the gymnasium at Rashkis Elementary and the gymnasium at Lincoln Center. The schools offer to partner with them at the new elementary school in Northside would have been similar to the arrangement we have at Rashkis, where the school’s multipurpose room was expanded to a full size gymnasium.
The Town owns and operates a full sized gymnasium as part of the Hargraves Recreation Center within the immediate area where Elementary School #11 is to be constructed. This facility meets the current and expected needs for indoor recreation space in this community. Thus, we do not recommend pursuing this offer.
We will welcome other opportunities to work with the schools in the future.
RECOMMENDATION
That the Council decline this opportunity to participate with the school system to build a full-sized gymnasium while encouraging continued cooperation between the school system and the Parks and Recreation Department.